An exclusive gym for members of the U.S. House of Representatives was supposed to be a casualty of the government shutdown, shuttered like much of the rest of “non-essential” Washington until Congress passed a measure to pay its bills.
But the gym, known as the Members’ Wellness Center, remains open with its flat-screen TVs, workout machines and heated swimming pool available for lawmakers’ use and enjoyment, ABC News has learned.
A congressional source said the facilities are not staffed but were kept operational to accommodate lawmakers who live in their offices while Congress is in session. “It would stink to high-heaven around here if Members couldn’t use those showers,” the source said. “Can you imagine that?”
Other athletic amenities were also kept accessible. “How do you close a basketball court?” the source said. Meanwhile, a gym for congressional staffers is closed.

An exclusive gym for members of the U.S. House of Representatives was supposed to be a casualty of the government shutdown, shuttered like much of the rest of “non-essential” Washington until Congress passed a measure to pay its bills.
But the gym, known as the Members’ Wellness Center, remains open with its flat-screen TVs, workout machines and heated swimming pool available for lawmakers’ use and enjoyment, ABC News has learned.
A congressional source said the facilities are not staffed but were kept operational to accommodate lawmakers who live in their offices while Congress is in session. “It would stink to high-heaven around here if Members couldn’t use those showers,” the source said. “Can you imagine that?”
Other athletic amenities were also kept accessible. “How do you close a basketball court?” the source said. Meanwhile, a gym for congressional staffers is closed.

Like Christie was saying.,, If the President was a real leader, he'd literally tell both sides that they were staying put in a room until something got worked out. It seems petty, but give these clowns even just a little taste of personal discomfort and they'd all start seeing things with a whole new perspective.

In the end, Obama doesn't want any kind of compromise on his "Signature" train wreck, which is why he's not really interested in that kind of approach. Plus, he's probably got a tee time to worry about.

Like Christie was saying.,, If the President was a real leader, he'd literally tell both sides that they were staying put in a room until something got worked out. It seems petty, but give these clowns even just a little taste of personal discomfort and they'd all start seeing things with a whole new perspective.

In the end, Obama doesn't want any kind of compromise on his "Signature" train wreck, which is why he's not really interested in that kind of approach. Plus, he's probably got a tee time to worry about.

When the Right says "Show leadership", that means "run roughshod over any and all opposition, lie as needed, and smear those against you".

Ya know, the authoritarian way of doing things. Putin-esque.

Keep beatin' that chubby, man.

Anyway, in this case, no literal force is required. If the President called a press conference and said, "I'm calling a meeting in my office with Reid, McConnell, Pelosi, and Boehner, and none of us are leaving until something gets worked out" It would be political suicide for any of them to outright refuse.

Only the Presidency has that kind of traction. The fact that it's not being utilized at all tells you that compromise wasn't in the game plan.

But now with the rollout trainwreck happening in slow motion and some of the bad press backfire courtesy of the National Park Service, that red line will likely change colors very soon.

It's very typical of right-wingers to admire authoritarians - Kirkpatrick practically soaked her knickers over 'em.

Now that China is much less communist and much more capitalist, the Righties over here are practically salivating over their system. Leader appointed by a small cabal, worker's rights non-existent, the environment rotting, free speech crushed, demonstrations forbidden, officials from 3rd Assistant Dogcatcher on up corrupt to the core, hiding away billions, everything that stands in the way of more and more money ignored/destroyed/criminal... A right-wing Utopia.

It's very typical of right-wingers to admire authoritarians - Kirkpatrick practically soaked her knickers over 'em.

Now that China is much less communist and much more capitalist, the Righties over here are practically salivating over their system. Leader appointed by a small cabal, worker's rights non-existent, the environment rotting, free speech crushed, demonstrations forbidden, officials from 3rd Assistant Dogcatcher on up corrupt to the core, hiding away billions, everything that stands in the way of more and more money ignored/destroyed/criminal... A right-wing Utopia.

Sorry man, your transformation team must've missed a talking point scrub during your conversion. China is team Proggy's wonderland. A conservative has little use for that model.